Top 10 Oldest Living Animal on Earth - Longest Living Animals
by Subhashree M | Updated Mar 29, 2023
Longest Living Animal on Earth
The earth is home to a diverse range of species, each with its unique characteristics and adaptations. Among these are some of the longest-living animals, which have managed to survive and thrive for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. These animals have developed remarkable abilities to withstand harsh environmental conditions, predation, and disease. From giant tortoises to deep-sea creatures like the Greenland shark, these long-lived animals have captivated scientists and the public alike with their ability to endure and adapt over time. Understanding the mechanisms behind their longevity can provide valuable insights into the aging process and may even help us develop new treatments for age-related diseases in humans.
Top 10 Oldest Living Animal on Earth
S.No
Oldest Animal
1
The Immortal Jellyfish
2
Sponges & Corals
3
Ocean Quahog
4
Greenland Shark
5
Giant Tortoise
6
Bowhead Whale
7
Koi
8
Red Sea Urchin
9
Geoduck
10
The Albatross
1. The Immortal Jellyfish
The Immortal Jellyfish (scientific name: Turritopsis dohrnii) is a type of jellyfish that has the unique ability to revert back to its juvenile form after reaching adulthood. This process is known as transdifferentiation and it allows the jellyfish to essentially "reset" its biological clock and start its life cycle all over again.This ability to revert back to its juvenile form is what has given the Immortal Jellyfish its name, as it is technically capable of living forever under the right conditions. However, it's important to note that while the Immortal Jellyfish can potentially live indefinitely, they are still susceptible to predation, disease, and other environmental factors that could limit their lifespan.The Immortal Jellyfish is native to the waters of the Pacific Ocean, but it has been introduced to other parts of the world through the ballast water of ships. It is a small, bell-shaped jellyfish that typically grows to be only a few millimeters in size.While the Immortal Jellyfish is a fascinating creature, it's worth noting that it is not the only species with the ability to revert back to its juvenile form. Other species of jellyfish, as well as some types of flatworms, are also capable of transdifferentiation to some extent.
2. Sponges & Corals
Sponges and corals are both groups of aquatic animals that are found in oceans around the world. While they may look similar in some ways, they are quite different from one another in terms of their biology and behavior. Sponges are simple, filter-feeding animals that are known for their porous bodies. They are stationary creatures that attach themselves to rocks, coral reefs, or other surfaces on the ocean floor. Sponges feed by filtering water through their bodies, which allows them to extract nutrients and oxygen from the surrounding seawater. They are an important part of the marine ecosystem, as they help to clean the water and provide a habitat for a variety of other marine creatures. Corals, on the other hand, are more complex animals that are actually made up of many individual polyps. These polyps secrete a hard calcium carbonate skeleton that forms the structure of the coral colony. Like sponges, corals are filter feeders, but they also have a symbiotic relationship with algae called zooxanthellae that live inside their tissues. The algae provide the coral with nutrients through photosynthesis, while the coral provides the algae with a protected environment to live and grow.Corals are also an important part of the marine ecosystem, as they provide habitat for a wide range of other marine creatures.Red coral is capable of living for up to 500 years, however, there exist other marine organisms that are stationary and have remarkably long lifespans. For instance, Monorhaphis chuni, a sponge species found at depths exceeding 2,000 meters in the ocean, can survive for over 11,000 years.
3. Ocean Quahog
The ocean quahog is a type of clam that can be found in the waters along the eastern coast of the Americas, ranging from Prince Edward Island to Yucatan, Mexico. This species of clam was previously believed to have a lifespan of around 225 years. However, recent studies have revealed that a particular ocean quahog was able to survive for 507 years. It is likely that this clam could have lived for even longer if it had not been harvested.
4. Greenland Shark
The Greenland shark, also known as the "sleeper shark," is a species of shark that inhabits the cold waters of the North Atlantic Ocean, particularly around Greenland, Canada, and Iceland. It is one of the largest living species of shark, with adult individuals measuring up to 7 meters in length. Greenland sharks are known for their exceptionally long lifespans, with some individuals believed to live for over 300-500 years. These sharks are also unique in that they have a very slow growth rate, taking several decades to reach sexual maturity. Due to their slow growth and low reproductive rate, Greenland sharks are considered vulnerable to overfishing and are currently classified as a near-threatened species.
5. Giant Tortoise
The giant tortoise is a type of tortoise that can be found on several islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, including the Galapagos Islands, Seychelles, and Aldabra Atoll. With a laid-back lifestyle that includes sleeping for up to 16 hours a day, the giant tortoise can go without food or water for up to a year. This relaxed pace of life typically leads to a long lifespan, with an average of around 100 years. In fact, some giant tortoises have been known to live much longer, such as the Aldabra giant tortoise that passed away in 2006 at the remarkable age of 250.
6. Bowhead Whale
The bowhead whale is a species of whale that can be found in the Arctic and subarctic waters of the North Atlantic, North Pacific, and Arctic Ocean. It is one of the largest living mammals, with adult individuals measuring up to 20 meters in length and weighing as much as 100,000 kilograms. Bowhead whales are known for their incredibly long lifespans, with some individuals believed to live for over 200 years. They are also unique in that they have a highly specialized diet that consists almost entirely of tiny crustaceans known as copepods, which they filter from the water using baleen plates in their mouths. Despite their size, bowhead whales were hunted extensively in the past for their blubber, meat, and bones. Conservation efforts are now in place to protect these magnificent creatures, which are currently listed as a species of least concern.Harpoon fragments dating back to the 1800s have been discovered embedded in the blubber of many bowhead whales.
7. Koi
Koi are a variety of domesticated fish that are commonly kept in outdoor ponds and water gardens. They are a type of carp and are originally from Japan, where they were first selectively bred for their unique color patterns. Koi can grow quite large, with some individuals reaching over 75 centimeters in length. Koi, typically have an average lifespan of around 30 years. However, with a suitable environment, such as a clean and deep pond with ample shade, they can live much longer. A well-known example of this is a koi in Japan that lived to the remarkable age of 226 years.
8. Red Sea Urchin
Red sea urchins have the potential to live for more than a century, depending on their living conditions. While those found in California are known to survive for up to 50 years, those inhabiting the colder waters off British Columbia have been found to exceed the age of 200 years. Additionally, 11 different species of sea urchin can be found in the Arctic. These creatures are a food source for a variety of fish, mammals, and even people.
9. Geoduck
Despite their less-than-stellar appearance, geoducks are capable of living remarkably long lives, with a potential lifespan of up to 160 years. These sizable clams can weigh up to four and a half kilograms and feature siphons that can grow up to one meter in length. Although they may not be the most aesthetically pleasing seafood option, geoducks are consumed along the Pacific coast of North America, and are described as having a clam-like flavor with a hint of crunch.
10. The Albatross
Despite its resemblance to a large seagull, the albatross possesses extraordinary capabilities. With a wingspan of up to 3.5 meters, these powerful birds can remain in flight for hours. Being tube-nosed, albatrosses have the ability to consume saltwater, enabling them to stay at sea for extended periods of time. On the rare occasion that they are spotted on land, it is likely that they are either mating or nurturing their offspring. In 2018, Wisdom, a 67-year-old albatross, successfully hatched her 36th chick, a remarkable achievement.
What Animal Lives the Longest?
The animal that lives the longest is the ocean quahog, a type of clam found in the North Atlantic Ocean. Some ocean quahogs have been found to live for more than 500 years. Other animals that have an exceptionally long lifespan include certain species of tortoises, such as the Galapagos tortoise and the Aldabra giant tortoise, which can live for over 100 years. Bowhead whales are also known for their long lifespan, with some individuals living for more than 200 years.
What is the Oldest Living Animal on Earth?
The Immortal Jellyfish, also known as Turritopsis dohrnii, is a type of jellyfish that has gained fame for its remarkable ability to revert back to its juvenile form after reaching maturity. This process, known as transdifferentiation or cellular rejuvenation, allows the jellyfish to essentially "reset" its biological clock and start its life cycle all over again.This means that the Immortal Jellyfish is capable of living indefinitely, or at least until it falls prey to disease, predation or some other external factor. This makes it unique among all other known creatures, as it is the only species that is biologically immortal.The Immortal Jellyfish is native to the Mediterranean Sea, but it has since spread to other parts of the world, including Japan and the Caribbean. It is a small, bell-shaped creature that measures only a few millimeters in diameter.
Top 10 Oldest Living Animal on Earth-FAQ
The oldest living animal on Earth is the ocean quahog, which can live for more than 500 years.
There are a number of marine species that outlive humans, and the mammal species that holds the record for longevity is the bowhead whale, which can live for 200 years.
Some confirmed sources estimate bowhead whales to have lived at least 211 years of age, making them the oldest mammals. Rougheye rockfish can reach an age of 205 years.